8,626 research outputs found
A new data reduction scheme to obtain the mode II fracture properties of Pinus Pinaster wood
In this work a numerical study of the End Notched Flexure (ENF) specimen was performed
in order to obtain the mode II critical strain energy released rate (GIIc) of a Pinus pinaster wood in the RL crack propagation system. The analysis included interface finite elements and a progressive damage
model based on indirect use of Fracture Mechanics.
The difficulties in monitoring the crack length during an experimental ENF test and the inconvenience of performing separate tests in order to obtain the elastic properties are well known. To avoid these
problems, a new data reduction scheme based on the equivalent crack concept was proposed and validated. This new data reduction scheme, the Compliance-Based Beam Method (CBBM), does not require crack measurements during ENF tests and additional tests to obtain elastic properties.FCT - POCTI/EME/45573/200
Finite element analysis of the ECT test on mode III interlaminar fracture of carbon-epoxy composite laminates
In this work a parametric study of the Edge Crack Torsion (ECT) specimen was performed
in order to maximize the mode III component (GIII) of the strain energy release rate for carbon-epoxy laminates.
A three-dimensional finite element analysis of the ECT test was conducted considering a
[90/0/(+45/-45)2/(-45/+45)2/0/90]S lay-up. The main objective was to define an adequate geometry to obtain an almost pure mode III at crack front. The geometrical parameters studied were specimen dimensions, distance between pins and size of the initial crack.
The numerical results demonstrated that the ratio between the specimen length and the initial crack length had a significant effect on the strain energy release rate distributions. In almost all of the tested
configurations, a mode II component occurred near the edges but it did not interfere significantly with the dominant mode III state.FCT - POCTI/EME/45573/200
Topological phases in a two-dimensional lattice: Magnetic field versus spin-orbit coupling
In this work, we explore the rich variety of topological states that arise in
two-dimensional systems, by considering the competing effects of spin-orbit
couplings and a perpendicular magnetic field on a honeycomb lattice. Unlike
earlier approaches, we investigate minimal models in order to clarify the
effects of the intrinsic and Rashba spin-orbit couplings, and also of the
Zeeman splitting, on the quantum Hall states generated by the magnetic field.
In this sense, our work provides an interesting path connecting quantum Hall
and quantum spin Hall physics. First, we consider the properties of each term
individually and we analyze their similarities and differences. Secondly, we
investigate the subtle competitions that arise when these effects are combined.
We finally explore the various possible experimental realizations of our model.Comment: 19 pages, 15 figure
Genesis of the Floquet Hofstadter butterfly
We investigate theoretically the spectrum of a graphene-like sample
(honeycomb lattice) subjected to a perpendicular magnetic field and irradiated
by circularly polarized light. This system is studied using the Floquet
formalism, and the resulting Hofstadter spectrum is analyzed for different
regimes of the driving frequency. For lower frequencies, resonances of various
copies of the spectrum lead to intricate formations of topological gaps. In the
Landau-level regime, new wing-like gaps emerge upon reducing the driving
frequency, thus revealing the possibility of dynamically tuning the formation
of the Hofstadter butterfly. In this regime, an effective model may be
analytically derived, which allows us to retrace the energy levels that exhibit
avoided crossings and ultimately lead to gap structures with a wing-like shape.
At high frequencies, we find that gaps open for various fluxes at , and
upon increasing the amplitude of the driving, gaps also close and reopen at
other energies. The topological invariants of these gaps are calculated and the
resulting spectrum is elucidated. We suggest opportunities for experimental
realization and discuss similarities with Landau-level structures in non-driven
systems.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure
Tuning edge state localization in graphene nanoribbons by in-plane bending
The electronic properties of graphene are influenced by both geometric
confinement and strain. We study the electronic structure of in-plane bent
graphene nanoribbons, systems where confinement and strain are combined. To
understand its electronic properties, we develop a tight-binding model that has
a small computational cost and is based on exponentially decaying hopping and
overlap parameters. Using this model, we show that the edge states in zigzag
graphene nanoribbons are sensitive to bending and develop an effective
dispersion that can be described by a one-dimensional atomic chain model.
Because the velocity of the electrons at the edge is proportional to the slope
of the dispersion, the edge states become gradually delocalized upon increasing
the strength of bending.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figure
Antioxidant,antimicrobial and toxicological properties of Schinus molle L. essential oils
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Schinus molle L. has been used in folk medicine as antibacterial, antiviral, topical antiseptic, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoural as well as antispasmodic and analgesic; however, there are few studies of pharmacological and toxicological properties of S. molle essential oils.
Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of S. molle leaf and fruit essential oils, correlated with their chemical composition and evaluate their acute toxicity.
Materials and methods: The chemical composition of S. molle leaf and fruit essential oils were evaluated by GC-FID and GC-MS. Antioxidant properties were determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and β-carotene/linoleic acid methods. Antimicrobial properties were evaluated by the agar disc diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentration assay. Toxicity in Artemia salina and acute toxicity with behavioural screening in mice were evaluated.
Results: The dominant compounds found in leaf and fruit essential oils (EOs) were monoterpene hydrocarbons, namely -phellandrene, β-phellandrene, β-myrcene, limonene and α-pinene. EOs showed low scavenging antioxidant activity by the DPPH free radical method and a higher activity by the β-carotene/linoleic acid method. Antimicrobial activity of EOs was observed for Gram+, Gram– pathogenic bacteria and food spoilage fungi. EOs showed cytotoxicity for Artemia salina and lower toxicity in Swiss mice.
Conclusions: The result showed that EOs of leaves and fruits of S. molle demonstrated antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, suggesting their potential use in food or pharmaceutical industries
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF THREE ESSENTIAL OILS FROM PORTUGUESE FLORA
The present work reports on the evaluation of chemical composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oils of
three aromatic herbs, growing wild in the south of Portugal, used in traditional food preparations: Foeniculum vulgare, Mentha spicata and Rosmarinus officinalis. The principal components of essential oils were anethole (41.2%) for F. vulgare, carvone (41.1%) for M. spicata and myrcene (23.7%) for R. officinalis. Essential oils showed antioxidant activity either by DPPH radical scavenging method and system β-
carotene/acid linoleic method. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils was observed against pathogenic bacteria and yeasts and food spoilage fungi. F.vulgare essential oil showed bacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum with MICs of 0.25-0.75mg/mL. M. spicata oil was active against E.coli, S.aureus, C.albicans, A. niger and F. oxysporum with MICs ranging between 0.25 and 0.75mg/mL. R. officinalis essential oil showed activity against E.coli and C.albicans with MICs of 0.5-1.0mg/mL.
Having in account the important antioxidant and antimicrobial properties observed in present work, we consider that these essential oils might be useful on pharmaceutical and food industry as natural antibiotic and food preservativ
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